General Resources
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American Society for Deaf Children / Sociedad Americana para Niños Sordos
The American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) is a national, non-profit organization providing support, encouragement and information to families raising children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
ASDC offers deaf mentors and online American Sign Language (ASL) classes for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. To help support language development, families and providers can also access ASL stories to watch and read together. Resources are available in English and Spanish.
American Transplant Foundation’s Patient Assistance Program
The American Transplant Foundation’s Patient Assistance Program (PAP) is a privately funded financial assistance program that helps living donors cover lost wages during their recovery from surgery and helps transplant recipients maintain health insurance coverage and access to immunosuppressant medications. This program is available nationwide and is focused on the most financially vulnerable patients and their families.
American Youth Soccer Organization VIP Program
The American Youth Soccer Organization Very Important Players (AYSO VIP) Program provides a quality soccer experience for children and adults whose physical or mental disabilities make it difficult to successfully participate on mainstream teams.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Information and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
AMBUCS is a non-profit organization that makes and gives away therapeutic tricycles called Amtrykes. For parents, the Amtryke fills the need of every child to have a bike—just like their siblings and friends. Many riders not previously considered capable of riding a bike will be successful riding an Amtryke. Amtrykes are designed to look like bikes, not medical equipment, and to be age-appropriate.
Information about how to either purchase or request a donated Amtryke, visit https://ambucs.org/riders/parents/.
Arab American Action Network (AAAN)
The Arab American Action Network (AAAN) is a grassroots nonprofit on the southwest side of Chicago.The AAAN combines social services with organizing and advocacy to promote social change. AAAN services include:
- Children’s after-school program and summer camp
- Cultural outreach presentations for schools, faith institutions, corporations and other community organizations
- Family empowerment program offering biweekly citizenship classes, English classes and family literacy and parenting skills program
- Youth leadership program
Arab American Family Services (AAFS) provides assistance to over 30 communities in the south suburban Chicagoland area. AAFS is a non-political, non-religious organization that focuses on building respect and understanding between Arab-Americans and the mainstream-American culture. It also serves as a catalyst for social change by actively seeking to confront the myths and taboos that have kept some Arab Americans from obtaining the help they need.
AAFS assists Arab speakers in their native language and dialect and is also recognized by government agencies and other nonprofits as a local resource for cultural exchange and translation services. AAFS programs include case management, mental health assistance, immigration services, disability assistance and more.
Are You Ready? Preparing for Emergencies: Tips for Families
Information from Family Voices on how families of children with special healthcare needs can prepare for emergencies.
The Association of Blind Citizens operates the Assistive Technology Fund. The fund will provide funds to cover 50 percent of the retail price of adaptive devices or software. The ABC board of directors believes that this program will allow blind and visually impaired individuals access to technology products that will have a significant impact on improving employment opportunities, increase the level of independence and enhance their overall quality of life.
Assistive Technology Resources
The Illinois State Library provides a list of programs and organizations that can help support assistive technology needs.
Assistive technology is “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” This includes devices like wheelchairs, laptop computers and even a grip on a pencil or a special can-opener.